Breaking Chains: A Counselor’s Guide to Recognizing and Responding to Sex Trafficking
Part 1: June 20, 2025 (Fri), 2 pm to 3:30 pm Pacific Time (Los Angeles)
Presenter: Cheri Mays, PhD
Description
This comprehensive course, “Breaking Chains: A Counselor’s Guide to Recognizing and Responding to S*x Trafficking,” equips counseling professionals with essential knowledge and skills to identify and support individuals who have survived sex trafficking. The curriculum covers the scope of this global issue, recognition of physical, behavioral, and environmental indicators, trauma responses in victims, and barriers preventing victims from seeking help. It emphasizes a trauma-informed approach to assessment and treatment, with specialized considerations for vulnerable populations such as children, international survivors, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
The course highlights the importance of collaborative care through strategic partnerships with legal services, housing providers, and survivor-led organizations while addressing the legal framework surrounding trafficking. It also emphasizes self-care strategies for counselors to prevent secondary traumatic stress when working with trafficking survivors. Throughout the program, participants learn that counselors play a vital role in victim identification and recovery through trauma-informed, culturally responsive interventions that acknowledge recovery as a non-linear process requiring appropriate support systems.
Objectives
Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:
Identify at least five physical, behavioral, and environmental indicators of s*x trafficking victims in clinical settings to improve early detection and intervention capabilities.
Discuss culturally responsive intervention strategies that address the unique needs of diverse trafficking survivors, including LGBTQ+ individuals, international survivors, and culturally specific healing practices.
Implement at least three self-care practices to effectively manage secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue when working with trafficking survivors.
$30
1.5 CE hours available through Resonant Equity, Inc.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION FOR PART 1
Part 2 on July 18th will be available for registration soon.